Guillaume Geefs, Venus Clipping Cupids Wings

Guillaume Geefs (1805-1883). Venus clipping Cupids wings. Royal Sculptor of Belgium, 1832. Palace size marble sculpture of a seated draped Venus on the stump of an oak tree, with scissors in her right hand and cupid resting on her lap. Complete with the original monumental marble fluted pedestal with a total height of 89” high. Signed in script on the base of the tree stump "G.Geefs." The statue measures 53” high x 23”deep x 20” wide. The pedestal is in two pieces. Only the top “cap” is removable. The lower column is one solid piece. Known primarily for his monumental works and public portraits of statesmen and nationalist figures, Geefs also explored mythological subject matter. The eldest of six brothers in a family of sculptors, the best-known of whom are Joseph Geefs and Jean Geefs. Guillaume first studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp under the Jan Frans van Geel and Jan Lodewijk van Geel and Jean-Etienne at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and began exhibiting his work in 1828. By 1832 he was appointed Royal Sculptor of Belgium. Portraits of the Belgium Royal family led to numerous commissions for monuments in Belgium's great cities. At the Great Exhibition, London in 1851, his work caused quite a furor, winning the Prize Medal. His work was gifted by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. Geefs continued to exhibit worldwide; patrons included English and Russian Royal families and other foreign dignitaries. He is regarded as the dominant Belgian sculptor of his time. Provenance: By Repute, Acquired at The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, Philadelphia. This work of art has been in the same house for three generations of home owners, Philadelphia Pa.